SHALLOTTTE—The Smith Avenue extension project, now at least three months past its projected completion date of December 2010, is reportedly 72 percent complete, according to a progress report published on the N.C. Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) website.

BOVLIA—If Brunswick County Commissioners adopt a less than revenue-neutral tax rate, Brunswick County Schools could receive less county funds than expected.

According to figures provided by Brunswick County school officials, an estimated $1.5 million less in county dollars brings the school system’s estimated shortfall to about $7 million for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

The bells may ring at different times next year at Brunswick County schools.

In an effort to reduce a $6 million budget deficit, Superintendent Edward Pruden has proposed staggered start times for elementary, middle and high schools.

“We’re having to take a look at everything very carefully, and we’re trying to identify ways that we could save substantial amounts of money without impacting the classroom,” Pruden said Monday afternoon.

Officers with the Brunswick County south-end task force recently arrested two suspects for multiple breaking-and-entering cases in the Supply area.

According to Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sgt. April Stanley, around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, March 20, a Shallotte Police officer initiated a routine traffic investigation, which led to the recovery of multiple firearms and rifle magazines.

Stanley said the property had been reported stolen from various residences in the Seashore Road area of Supply between Feb. 11 and March 12.

BOLIVIA—Brunswick County Commissioner Charles Warren was a no-show at his censure hearing Monday evening.

But, as they say, the show must go on, and commissioners unanimously approved censuring Warren.

The censure hearing was to determine if Warren was in violation of the county’s code of ethics—which they determined that he was—for not stepping down as chairman of the county’s Department of Social Services Board.

BOLIVIA—Could a four-day workweek be in Brunswick County employees’ future for the upcoming fiscal year?

Though Brunswick County Manager Marty Lawing called the proposal “pretty radical,” commissioners seemed to like the cost-saving measure when Lawing presented the measure at commissioners’ two-day budget retreat last week.

Lawing said converting to a four-day workweek would save the county in energy costs, and employees on rising fuel costs.